The A to Z Terms

Modern warfare, from "ambush" to "zapad" explained to you in plain English


A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

AIoT

AIoT or Artificial Intelligence of Things empowers your devices to think and learn. Simply put, AIoT is the fusion of Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things. AI learns from data, makes decisions, and performs tasks that require human intelligence. IoT, on the other hand, connects devices to the internet, enabling them to send and receive data.

AIoT allows connected devices to not just collect data but also make intelligent decisions based on this data. The combination of this duo leads to smarter homes, cities, and industries. Picture your thermostat learning your preferences and adjusting the temperature automatically, or your refrigerator telling you that you need to reorder the whipped cream! That’s the power of AIoT, making our lives more efficient and our systems more effective.

Algorithm

An algorithm is a series of instructions designed to perform a task. Algorithms are used in many areas of computer science, like data processing, reasoning, and AI. In simple terms, an algorithm is like a recipe for solving a problem or completing a process. Just as a recipe gives step-by-step instructions to prepare a delicious dish, an algorithm gives a sequence of steps to achieve a desired outcome. It lays out a clear path from the start point to the finish line.

Antivirus

An Antivirus is your computer’s security shield. Antivirus protects your computer from virus and malware attacks. It keeps the device protected by continuously scanning for cyber threats and blocking and destroying anything that could cause harm.

API (Application Programming Interface)

An API is a bridge that enables different software systems to talk to each other and share data. It provides a set of rules and tools for building software and applications.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI are machines and software that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence. These tasks include learning from experience, understanding language and patterns, problem-solving, and making informed decisions. With the help of algorithms and data, AI performs human-like functions such as perception, reasoning, and analytical decision-making. Examples of AI applications include virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa, recommendation systems on Netflix, large language models like ChatGPT, and driverless cars. AI enhances efficiency and productivity by automating complex processes.

ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange)

ASCII is the universal language of computers. It is a system that assigns a unique number to every character you type, from ‘A’ to ‘1’ to ‘!’. For example, ‘A’ is represented by the number 65. When you hit ‘A’ on your keyboard, the computer sees it as 65 and displays ‘A’ on the screen. ASCII is the backbone of digital communication, ensuring that text is standardized and understood by all devices.

Augmented Analytics

Augmented Analytics is a smart assistant to make sense of your data! Augmented Analytics uses AI and ML to automatically analyse data, find patterns, and generate insights. You don’t have to be a data expert anymore  (doesn’t hurt to be one though!) to break down those complex spreadsheets. Instead, Augmented Analytics does all the heavy lifting for you, turning raw data into clear, actionable insights.

B

Big Data

Extremely large and complex data sets that need special methods and expertise to analyse. To get actionable insights out of these mountains of data, these data sets can be examined using computers to find patterns, trends, and connections.

Big Tech

Big Tech refers to the largest technology companies that dominate the industry and influence our everyday lives. These companies have a significant impact on the economy and society. Some examples of companies that represent big tech are Google, Apple, Amazon, Facebook (Meta), and Microsoft. These companies are called “Big Tech” because of their size, sway, and the vast array of products and services they offer.

Blockchain

Blockchain is like a digital logbook. It records transactions across many computers, making sure the data is secure, transparent, and unchangeable. Instead of storing data in one central location, blockchain scatters it across a network of connected devices. Once a transaction is recorded, it cannot be altered or deleted. To ensure transparency, all participants in the network can see the transactions. Some examples of products built on Blockchain technology are Bitcoin, Ripple, Chainlink, and Hyperledger Fabric.

Blue Screen of Death

The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) is an error screen that appears on a Windows computer when the system encounters a fatal problem. It indicates a serious software or hardware issue. It is named for the blue colour of the error screen. Microsoft chose a blue screen background for this error message in Windows, making it easily identifiable as a serious error. The phrase "of death" emphasises the severity of the issue. The term became popular as users associated it with significant system crashes and frustration.

C

Chatbot

A chatbot is a program designed to simulate conversation with humans on websites, apps, and internal systems, typically through text or voice. Chatbots answer questions, provide information, and perform tasks based on user input. Some popular chatbots are Siri from Apple, Alexa from Amazon, Google Assistant, Microsoft Cortana, and OpenAI's ChatGPT. These chatbots aim to make interactions and customer support more engaging, intuitive, and efficient, and reduce the number of support tickets.

Cisco Duo

Cisco Duo is a critical tool in implementing a zero-trust architecture, ensuring that only verified users and compliant devices can access sensitive resources. Cisco Duo provides multi-factor authentication (MFA) to protect access to sensitive data for all users, devices, and applications. It enhances security by verifying user identity, establishing device trust, and ensuring secure connections to company networks and applications.

Claude

Claude is a generative AI chatbot by Anthropic. It is part of a family of AI models designed to understand and write human-like text. Claude can answer questions, generate written content, translate, and write code. It uses advanced techniques in natural language processing (NLP) and natural language generation (NLG) to provide desired results. Claude automates tasks, enhances productivity, and provides intelligent insights across various applications.

Cloud Calling

Cloud calling, or cloud telephony, enables voice communication to be delivered over the Internet instead of traditional phone lines. This means that calls are made and received using the Internet. Cloud calling allows features like voicemail, routing, and video conferencing. It is much more reliable and cheaper than traditional communication systems. Webex Calling by Cisco is an example of cloud-calling technology.

D

Data Analytics

Data Analytics simply means making sense of numbers. It is the process of interpreting numbers to find patterns and insights to enable informed decision-making. The process of Data Analytics turns raw data into actionable information that drives business success.

Data Center

A Data Center is a facility that houses critical IT infrastructure, like servers, storage and networking systems, to manage, store, and process large amounts of data.  It includes redundant or backup power supplies, redundant data communications connections, environmental controls (e.g., air conditioning, fire suppression), and security devices. Data Centers are critical for the smooth operation of IT services and the safe storage, management, and dissemination of data.

Digital Twin

A Digital Twin is a virtual representation of a physical object, process, or service. It acts as a bridge between the physical and digital worlds, allowing for real-time monitoring, simulation, and analysis. By creating a digital twin, organizations can simulate real-life scenarios, predict outcomes, and improve performance without impacting the actual physical process or system. Digital Twin technology is widely used in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and smart cities.

Case Studies

How Webex Cloud Calling Transformed Lohia Corp's Collaborative Environment
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Maximising Operational Efficiency: Proactive Solutions for a Global Insurance Giant
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How Proactive Enabled Axtria to Streamline Network Operations with Cisco Meraki
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Fuelling Growth: A Digital Transformation Story in the Indian Energy Sector
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Proactive Powers Smart Classes with Seamless Connectivity
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Blogs

Top 9 Tools Every CISO Should Have in Their Cybersecurity Arsenal
May 06, 2024 | 3 min read
Top 9 Tools Every CISO Should Have in Their Cybersecurity Arsenal
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The Importance of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): A Deep Dive with Cisco Duo
May 03, 2024 | 3 min read
The Importance of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): A Deep Dive with Cisco Duo
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The Rise of AI: Why Scalable IT Infra is Non-Negotiable
May 01, 2024 | 5 min read
The Rise of AI: Why Scalable IT Infra is Non-Negotiable
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Cisco Hypershield: A New Era in AI-Powered Security
May 19, 2024 | 5 min read
Cisco Hypershield: A New Era in AI-Powered Security
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Cloud Calling: Poor Connectivity to “Always Connected”
Aug 27, 2024 | 3 Min Read
Cloud Calling: Poor Connectivity to “Always Connected”
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The Ultimate BYOD Defense: Unleash the Full Power of MDM to Secure Endpoints
July 04, 2024 | 3 min read
The Ultimate BYOD Defense: Unleash the Full Power of MDM to Secure Endpoints
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Cybersecurity Breach: What to Do in the First 24 Hours
August 22, 2024 | 3 min read
Cybersecurity Breach: What to Do in the First 24 Hours
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5 Webex Devices Integrated with Microsoft Teams
Aug 27, 2024 | 2 min read
5 Webex Devices Integrated with Microsoft Teams
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Cisco Duo: Secure Your Remote Workforce
August 27, 2024 | 3 min read
Cisco Duo: Secure Your Remote Workforce
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Top 5 Benefits of Cisco Duo MFA
August 27, 2024 | 3 min read
Top 5 Benefits of Cisco Duo MFA
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